“However,” Tovah continues, “I believe lockdown would leave us far more vulnerable. We are sitting ducks here. The compound isn’t Israel; we don’t have an Iron Dome of our own. He hired mercenaries and they failed three times.” She places her folded hands in front of her. “He’s desperate enough to post a contract on the web. There is no telling what weapons he will try next to achieve his purpose.”
“So, what do you propose?” I am so fucking proud of Tovah right now. Everyone in this room is listening to her, open to another perspective. She should have been here from the beginning, but she is here now and that’s what matters, I guess.
“Limit exposure where we can, keeping the women to smaller parties, no big group ventures. Trackers are non-negotiable, every person. Preferably subdermal, not just their devices, shoes, accessories.” She pauses, thinking something over. “I’m not one to hide, you all know that. I brought the fight to Baird and took a bullet for my efforts. But I wouldn’t change a fucking thing. Except maybe not get shot, but that’s beside the point. We cower, we close ranks, we hide…we’ve already lost.”
Moshe nods and I catch the pride shining in Steven’s eyes as he watches his daughter. “I agree with our newestkapitan. Groups of 3 women or less. I won’t make anyone put a tracker under their skin or in their body, but please ask and encourage any of them to consider. I want Yak and Tev to have more manpower. Tap anyone on the security team with the skills you need to dig deeper. Teuling didn’t wake up one day and decide to fuck with the Jewish mafia thousands of miles away. He has a reason and we need to figure it out.”
Moshe dismisses us, and Tev and I stand up ready to get back to work. “Tev? Yak?” We stay behind as the others file out. “I want you both to know that your sacrifice is appreciated. Before you head back to the office, go spend some time with your families.”
“Avinu, this is important—"
“It is. The women…they are what keep us going. But as badly as you need to see them, they need to see you, too.”
Moshe leaves and I lean back against the table. Exhaustion pulling me under. I want my bed, Sophia on one side and Monty on the other and a few hours of sleep.
Tev checks his watch. “We’ll meet at the front in 4 hours. Nap, fuck, eat, shit.”
“Is it Arlo’s naptime?” I wiggle my eyebrows, which earns me a light chuckle.
“Honestly, I’m so fucking tired, I don’t think I could get it up. And I think I’d like to hold him and Vandy for a while.” I never thought I’d see the day Tevye Frenkel turned family man, but it suits him well.
I laugh, cupping his shoulder then taking my leave. I head toward my suite, hoping to find Sophia and Monty for some holding of my own.
Monty 16.
“SARAH SCHLAY!” I look up from my post near the entertainment room. Harper is walking with purpose down the hall, with her phone in her hand. As she passes me, I hear an exaggerated voice say, “Gawrsh! Gawrsh! Yahooey!” I’m as nibby as the next person, so I position myself closer to the doorway and eavesdrop.
“My precious daughter-in-law—”
“Save it, woman! I expect this kind of behavior from Gertie, but from you? My own mother-in-law? How could you?”
Sarah’s voice loses the saccharine sweetness, dropping low. “I warned you what would happen if you referred to us as elderly.”
“Weeks, months, I’ve been losing my mind surrounded byGoofyand it was you the whole time!”
“No. That’s not true. I didn’t send you any of that.”
“I sent some of it.” That’s Gertie. “Did the underwear fit, Harp?”
“It did. And it’s super cute…that’s not the point!”
“What is going on?”
“Your mother had the sound changed on my videos. At least 10 of them on SSP’s website sound like this.” She plays the video over, turning the volume up. I bite into my fist, laughing so hard my stomach hurts. The others have no shame and laugh out loud at Harper’s humiliation.
“Mother!” Jonah exclaims, though if he’s aiming for supportive, the awed tone falls woefully short. “You had the soundtrack for her videos dubbed withGoofy’s voice? That’s…that’s genius.”
“I know it is!” Harper yells. “That’s the problem! I want to be mad, but it’s diabolical!”
“Hyuck. That’s quite a dilemma.”
“Serves you right.”
“You’re right, Sarah. I guess I had it coming. What’s so impressive is that someone of your advanced years was able to pull something like this off.” There is a long, pregnant pause, then Harper’s continues. “You wanna dance,monster-in-law,let’s fucking dance.”
“I was the Jewish Community Center’s dance-a-thon champion 5 years in a row.”
“Were you the only one competing?” Harper snaps back immediately, making Sarah growl in frustration.
